Escarole Bacon Salad Recipes

ESCAROLE AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Cook 4 chopped bacon slices in a skillet until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Off the heat, whisk 3 tablespoons each currants and red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper into the drippings. Toss with 1 head chopped escarole, chopped pistachios and the bacon.

ESCAROLE-BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Cook 6 diced strips bacon in a skillet; drain on paper towels. Whisk 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, and salt and pepper into the drippings. Whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss the dressing with 1 head torn escarole, some sliced radishes, shaved gouda and the bacon.

ESCAROLE WITH BACON, DATES, AND WARM WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine escarole, dates, and walnuts in large bowl. Cook bacon in medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add bacon to bowl with salad.
• Discard drippings from skillet; add walnut oil. Place over low heat. Add shallot; sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; add vinegar and whisk to blend. Season vinaigrette with sea salt and black pepper. Gradually add warm dressing to salad, tossing to coat. Divide among plates.

SPRING SALAD WITH CRISPY CHICKEN AND BACONY CROUTONS

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 475ºF. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Using kitchen shears, remove bones, keeping skin and flesh intact; discard bones. Season chicken all over with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
• Heat a medium cast-iron or heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-high until hot but not smoking. Sear chicken skin side down, undisturbed, 2 minutes. Continue to cook, turning occasionally, until fat renders and skin is golden brown, 4-6 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a plate. Carefully pour off all but 2 tsp. fat and wipe off any fat that drips onto side or bottom of skillet. Return chicken to skillet skin side up. Transfer to oven and roast chicken, tenting skillet with foil if skin becomes too dark halfway through, until skin crisps and meat is cooked through, 8-12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until just crispy, 4-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a large heatproof bowl. Pour off all but 2 Tbsp. fat. Heat fat in skillet over medium. Add bread in an even layer, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook, turning pieces occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1 Tbsp. vinegar and toss until absorbed. Let cool a few minutes, then taste and season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer croutons to bowl with bacon.
• Remove chicken from oven and transfer to a plate; reserve skillet with fat and pan drippings. Let chicken cool 5-10 minutes, then cut into 1" pieces.
• Cook shallot, peas, 1/8 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper in reserved skillet over medium-low heat, stirring, until shallots are softened and peas are cooked, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in oil and remaining 2 Tbsp. vinegar (mixture will bubble) with a heatproof spatula. (If you want to ensure bright green peas, cook them separately in a small saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave and sprinkle over top of salad after plating.)
• Add escarole, fennel, and radishes to bowl with bacon and croutons. Pour warm dressing over. Toss to combine and slightly wilt greens.
• Mound salad among plates; nestle in chicken pieces. Top with mint. Serve immediately.

ESCAROLE BISTRO SALAD WITH BACON

Steps:

• In a large skillet cook bacon over medium until browned and crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain, reserving drippings. Add bread crumbs and 2 cloves garlic to skillet. Cook and stir 2 minutes or until bread crumbs are browned. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in bacon and chopped parsley.
• Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Heat over medium. Add remaining garlic and the shallot to skillet, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vinegar, mustard, salt, and black pepper until combined. Whisk in remaining olive oil.
• Arrange escarole on a platter. Spoon dressing over. Top with bread crumb mixture and, if desired, additional parsley. Serve with lemon wedges. Serves 4.

ESCAROLE WITH BACON AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon. Pour off and discard all but 2 tsp drippings from pan. Set bacon aside.
• Add onion to drippings in pan; cook until golden brown (about 12 minutes). Add garlic; cook about 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add escarole; cook 2 minutes or until escarole wilts, stirring frequently. Add sugar, salt, pepper, and broth; cook 15 minutes or until escarole is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add beans; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with bacon.